Well, what a mixed bag of weather in the UK, not as warm as I’d like for my chillies and cucumbers but at least the grass isn’t brown anymore. Typically, this month is a relaxing time in the gardening world and one full of harvests and bountiful crops. It is also the month of a glut of courgettes and the joys of chutney and relish making. There is nothing more satisfying than picking and filling your store cupboard
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* Top tip – Now is the time to dry those second early potatoes thoroughly before lifting and storing in paper sacks.
August Jobs
- Kale: Now is the last chance to sow Kale for a nutritious winter crop. Kale can be grown outside throughout the winter in much of the UK -15 degrees Celsius. It is rich in vitamins including vitamin K and is a very healthy vegetable. Sow thinly in rows 15cm apart and once germinated thin to 7.5cm between each plant. The thinnings make excellent baby salad leaves. Harvest when plants are 10-15cm tall as a cut and come again crop. Varieties include Curly Scarlet, Nero di Toscana, Redbor, Black Magic
- Chinese Cabbage: This vegetable prefers cool weather and is not suited to hold, cold or dry conditions. It is ideal to grow in containers and likes partial shade, warm weather and regularly watering. Scatter the seeds thinly along drills 1cm deep and space rows 38cms apart. Seeds should germinate in a week and thinnings can be used in salads. They have a mild sweet flavour and can be eaten raw, lightly steamed, stir-fried. Ideal varieties include Natsuke, Vitimo, Wa Wa Sai, wong Bok, Yuki
* Top tip – Your runner beans will be at the top of the canes so you can pinch them out and stop them to encourage more growth below.
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Spring Onions: There is nothing quite like using freshly harvested spring onions in an omelette, or salad. Now is ideal to sow spring onions for a hardy winter crop and being able to add a zing to winter salads or stir fires. Sow the seeds thinly in a 12-20mm deep row or in a container, cover, and label. As they grow thin them out to 2.5cm apart and use the thinnings in salads. Varieties include White Lisbon and Pompeii
* Top tip – Keep on top of Aphids and Blackfly pests in the greenhouse. You can use a strong jet of water, or a mixture of soft soap solution will help control the numbers. More recently I have been relocating ladybirds into my greenhouse to enjoy a feast.
* Now Reduced – Don’t forget to protect your hands when sowing and planting seeds. Available in 5 exquisite designs including stylish Red Tweed, Grey Tweed, Artisan, Berry, & Oak Leaf Poppy. For some stylish comfortable and durable gardening gloves Visit My Shop or click on the picture for different coloured garden gloves – A perfect gift to protect your hands.
Watering Ideas
During the summer months, watering plants can be problematic. There are expensive watering systems and some useful not so expensive tips for keeping plants well-watered in the hot weather. Here are some tips for keeping your seedlings hydrated.
